transaction

noun

trans·​ac·​tion tran-ˈzak-shən 

tran(t)-ˈsak-

1

a

: something transacted

especially : an exchange or transfer of goods, services, or funds

electronic transactions

b

transactions plural : the often published record of the meeting of a society or association

2

a

: an act, process, or instance of transacting

b

: a communicative action or activity involving two parties or things that reciprocally affect or influence each other

transactional

tran-ˈzak-sh(ə-)nəl 

tran(t)-ˈsak-

adjective

Synonyms of transaction

• sale

Examples of transaction in a Sentence

The entire transaction took place over the phone.

a record of your recent banking transactions

the transaction of business over the phone

Recent Examples on the Web

Shell companies, including those in oil, shipping, and investment, facilitate billions of dollars in transactions through networks spanning the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, and Singapore, according to the Treasury Department. — Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

The transaction combines credit and equity and will be used to support the growth of the New York Yankees and refinance existing debt. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026

The president made over 1,000 stock transactions, according to the most recent disclosure form released on Saturday. — Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

The pair also donated conservation easements in a series of transactions over the years that now protect 168 acres of forest land and wildlife habitat in Washington on the Spring Hill Wildlife Sanctuary on Orcas Island’s Mount Woolard. — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 23 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for transaction

• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction
• detraction
• diffraction
• distraction
• exaction
• extraction
• impaction
• inaction
• infraction

Kids Definition

transaction

noun

trans·​ac·​tion tran(t)s-ˈak-shən 

tranz-

1

a

: something transacted

especially : a business deal

b

plural : the record of the meeting of an organization

2

a

: an act, process, or instance of transacting

b

: an act of communication between two people who influence or change each other

Legal Definition

transaction

noun

trans·​ac·​tion tran-ˈzak-shən, -ˈsak- 

1

: something transacted

especially : an exchange or transfer of goods, services, or funds

2

a

: an act, process, or instance of transacting

b

: an action or activity involving two parties or things that reciprocally affect or influence each other

3

in the civil law of Louisiana : an onerous contract that is intended by the parties to prevent or end actual or possible litigation and in which they make reciprocal concessions compare accord, satisfaction